BU Singers Share 2019 Prix Opus for Concert of the Year – Regions

BU Singers Director Fannie Gaudette and singer/conductor Melinda Enns were in Montreal this past week to accept the Opus prize for Concert of the Year in the category of Regions on behalf of the Bishop’s choir. The Gala Prix Opus took place at the Salle Bourgie of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on January 19^th.

In collaboration with L’Orchestre Symphonique de Drummondville, under the baton of Julien Proulx, and Le Choeur Bella Voce, under the direction of James Copland, the BU Singers performed Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky on April 18, 2019 to a sold-out audience at Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville. The concert marked the second project in the last three years with conductor Julien Proulx. He was at the helm for two performances of Bach’s magisterial Mass in B Minor in 2017. It was the first collaboration between the BU Singers and Le Choeur Bella Voce – an excellent ensemble of more than 50 voices based in Drummondville.

Gaudette described the win as “a huge accomplishment for our group’”. Long time chorister Jamie Crooks added: “We’re all tremendously proud of how Fannie has built our choir over 20 years – and particularly grateful, in this project, to Melinda. She prepared the group for Julien, conducting all rehearsals and shaping the performance that has now been recognized. Bishop’s is lucky indeed to have such talented people in these leadership roles.”

The Prix Opus highlights the excellence and diversity of concert music in Quebec.